Disclaimer: The following work of fiction, and it's inherent contents, is sole property of me. Any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Chapter codes: None. Implied F/F, not certain if will actually write it. Suppose if I have enough requests or threatened by Pips, I could.

And as always, reviews greatly appriciated.


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Chapter 3

SS Miranda, 2015 hrs

Kate sat at her usual seat at the head of the table and gestured for the Shai'al to have a seat "Can I get you something to drink?" she offered.

"No, thank you, Captain," replied the female. "I am called S'Thorlin, and my compatriot is D'Khalin." She remained standing as she talked. "D'Shaolith, or Damian, as you refer to him, is held in high regard among the Shai'al. Though there have been many half bloods in the ranks of the Shai'al, D'Shaolith is the first to rank so high. When he was brought before the High Council, it was determined that he was to fulfill some important destiny.

"As you know, the Talactians are a highly telepathic race. We of the Shai'al, more than the others, keep close contact with each other. The one exception to this is D'Shaolith. He usually keeps to himself, though we keep in contact with him, not so much as to intrude on his desire to be alone, but to know that he is alright, and let him know that he is never truly alone.

"After the incident on Daelteth IV, we were saddened by his decision to join the Alliance, but once a Shai'al, always a Shai'al, to the death, and the Shai'al watch after their own."

"I can understand that," Kate responded.

"As Captain, indeed you could. However, you must truly understand the bond that the Shai'al share that leads us to believe that D'Shaolith is still alive.

"You see, Captain, when one of us dies, the loss of contact is felt throughout the telepathic link. We did not feel this from D'Shaolith. Instead, it was as if he put up a block so that we couldn't read him. We can still feel him; we just can't touch him. He's done it before, but this time, it's different."

Kate pondered for a moment. "So he's still alive, somewhere."

"Yes," D'Khalin replied. "Where, we do not know, but perhaps we can find the answers together. Your sensor tapes would probably show more than ours. If we are to find the answer, that's where the answer lies."

"I agree," Kate said. She pressed the communication switch. "Captain to the Bridge. Have all tactical readouts regarding the explosion in Engineering forwarded to Conference terminal three."

"Is there a way we can tap into our computers as well? If we looked at our sensor readings and compared, we might also get an idea of what happened," S'Thorlin stated. "Sometimes more can be learned by looking from a different angle."

"Computer, establish link with Talactian vessel in docking bay."

"Link established."

"Control from Conference terminal four."

There was a slight clicking as the computer transferred the link. "Control from terminal four confirmed."

"Now, shall we begin?" Kate stared at the screen and began the tedious process of trying to find the pieces of the puzzle to put together. I don't even have an idea of what to look for, she thought as she glanced at the various readings before her. If I knew what happened, I'd know what to look for, and without knowing what happened, what I'm seeing doesn't make sense. She tried running the Miranda's sensor recordings alongside those of the Talactian vessel.

"Having any luck?" S'Thorlin asked.

"No," Kate replied. "I'm not making any sense of the combined readings." She sighed. "Then, I'm not an engineer who knows what to look for."

D'Khalin smiled. "I don't think anyone knows what to look for, Captain."

S'Thorlin nodded. "I agree." She glanced back at the monitor. "Hmm, that's strange."

"What?" Kate and D'Khalin asked at the same time.

"Watch this," S'Thorlin replied. She ran both readings simultaneously. "I have time indexed them, so they will run sequentially."

Kate watched the playback and didn't notice anything in particular. "I'm not seeing anything out of the ordinary, S'Thorlin. What is it I'm supposed to look for?"

"The ionized tachyon field bursts," D'Khalin replied. "If I am correct, I believe I see what she is referring to."

S'Thorlin played the readouts again. "This is the Miranda's reading of the Quinnjila's first appearance," she said, pausing the display. "It does not show up on ours, because our scanners are limited to fighter range and abilities, and unable to match your abilities."

"Neither can the Miranda, technically," Kate replied. "The whole system was re-routed and ran through several other sub-systems to generate those abilities."

"D'Shaolith's design, no doubt," D'Khalin stated as he looked at S'Thorlin. "We must get a look at the adjustments later."

S'Thorlin continued. "That might explain things. Now here we have the primary containment field exploding, showing up on both readouts. Here's where it gets interesting. See this right here, only on the Miranda's readout?"

Kate looked at the screen. "It looks like a surge in trilithium. Strange." Quickly, she typed some information onto the screen. "It would appear that it was localized in Main Engineering. What would it be doing there?" She thought momentarily, recalling what Damian had said about the Quinnjila portal. "My God, they were trying to appear inside our engines!"

"I am not so certain about that," D'Khalin stated. "Given the situation, my guess would be that D'Shaolith was in engineering, was he not?" After receiving a nod of affirmation, he continued. "More than likely, the Quinnjila were after him, and circumstances prevented their success. What exactly, I do not know."

"What happened exactly, after the initial warning?" S'Thorlin asked. "Once we know the full details of the events, we might make more sense of these readings."

Kate told them the entire story, from the moment the first alert sounded until the sudden disappearance of the Quinnjila, the Black Phoenix, Damian and Erin. They sat in silence momentarily, thinking over the events.

"Blascome to Captain Marsh."

"Kate here. Go ahead, Chief."

"Sorry to interrupt, Captain, but I think I have something, an explanation as to what happened."

"Understood. Report to Conference Immediately."

S'Thorlin arched a brow in curiosity. "A hypothesis already? Must be quite a chief engineer you have, Captain."

"Indeed, he is. My entire crew, not just the command staff, was either the top in their field or going to be the top in their field. That's why I picked them for my crew. I like to think that my entire crew is the best that the Alliance has."

"As does every officer," D'Khalin offered.

The doors opened as Blascome entered. Giving a brief nod to everyone, he turned back to Kate. "I'm not an expert on the Quinnjila, but I have been going over the sensor data and put together a possible explanation."

He paused briefly before continuing. "From the data, it appears that the Quinnjila portal isn't an instantaneous thing. Here, we can see a slow buildup of trilithium, as if they are opening the blinds to get a view out the window, a look at their surroundings."

"That would explain why we had ample warning before they actually appeared," Kate mused.

"I thought the same thing," Blascome replied. "It would allow them to select an optimal opening depending on their surrounding conditions."

"Such as Engineering, where their greatest threat was," S'Thorlin surmised, watching the readout again. "That theory would seem more than plausible, when one looks at their attacks. With the most dangerous threat to them eliminated first, they are free to do even more damage."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Which is what appears to have happened here," Blascome said. "Initial reports have the portal opening about 500 meters of the starboard side, then they shift to Engineering."

"What else did you discover, Chief?"

"I've been looking very closely at the readings taken from Main Engineering, since that's where primarily everything happened. It would appear that when the trilithium encountered transporter field, it had an adverse affect. The opening field between hyperspace and real space collapses."

"So, the Quinnjila were appearing in Main Engineering just as we tried to transport Damian out," Kate said.

"Correct, Captain. The transporter field interacted with their portal, closing it. That's why there was no actual Quinnjila present. We have to assume that Lt Cmdr Baldwin was pulled through their portal, thus explaining his disappearance."

D'Khalin rubbed his chin in thought. "I do not follow your logic. If your hypothesis is correct, how does that explain the Black Phoenix disappearing at the same time?"

"Aren't Talactian vessels, especially those of the Shai'al, linked somehow to their pilots?" Kate asked. "A psy-link?"

"Yes," S'Thorlin replied. "The Shai'al have a psy-link with their ships, an almost symbiotic relationship such is the connection."

"Then wouldn't it go to where he was?"

"In a situation like that, if he was transported away, the ship would automatically set a course for his coordinates. Thus, we have to assume that he was transported to another dimension," D'Khalin stated. "It does not explain why the Phoenix disappeared."

"Actually, I believe it does," Blascome continued. "If the Phoenix was also trying to transport Cmdr Baldwin, that connection, along with the psy-link could have pulled it through the portal."

S'Thorlin nodded, seeing where Blascome was going with his reasoning. But there was one thing that did not make sense.

"Why weren't we pulled through the portal as well, since we were trying to transport him?" Kate asked.

"He didn't have a psy-link with the Miranda, Captain. The moment the Phoenix tried to transport him; they were in essence, one entity. Thus, when he was pulled through the portal, so was the Phoenix and Cmdr Godwynn."

Kate sighed softly and lowered her head in thought.

S'Thorlin glanced at Kate briefly. "An interesting theory, but I do not believe that is what happened. The Phoenix's phased particle matter/anti-matter inducer would have prevented it."

Blascome tapped nervously on the table, and then glanced at the two Talactians. "The Phoenix didn't have its inducer. It was removed to retrofit the adjustments to the Miranda's sensor array."

S'Thorlin turned to D'Khalin. "Then it would appear that we have a working hypothesis of what happened here. Now, we only need to figure out where they are and how to get them back."

D'Khalin nodded. "There is also one other thing that needs to be corrected. In light of these discoveries, I would say that you are indeed an expert on the Quinnjila, Lt Blascome."

"I have to agree, Chief. While there have been many encounters with the Quinnjila, every ship that had primary involvement was destroyed. This more than likely the first time that such data on them has been gathered. We now know how to detect them, perhaps even prevent their attacks." Kate paused briefly. "I'll inform Command of our discoveries, and I believe that a lot of research will begin off of our findings here. So, for some time at least, you are the foremost expert on the Quinnjila."

Blascome nodded and stood up. "If you'll excuse me, Captain. Think I'll head off and get some sleep before giving it another go in the morning."

Kate nodded, dismissing him and turned to the two Talactians. "Will you be staying on board or leaving?"

D'Khalin started to reply, but a glance from S'Thorlin quieted him.

"We shall be staying, Captain. One of our own is involved, and we shall help in all efforts to find your missing crew members. Besides, we might not have seen the last of the Quinnjila."

Kate nodded, slightly puzzled by her response. "Very well, I'll have my Chief Secur…" She paused momentarily, starting to refer to Damian out of habit. "I'll have someone from security escort you to guest quarters."

"Thank you, Captain," S'Thorlin replied. She turned to D'Khalin as Kate headed back to the Bridge.
*         *          *          *          *

Battle log, SS Miranda
23 Mar 3257
2300 hrs
Captain Kate Marsh, Commanding Officer

I have informed Alliance Command as to our situation and discoveries, leading to a hypothesis to the disappearance of Cmdr Erin Godwynn and Lt Cmdr Damian Baldwin. While they were reluctant at first to believe that they are still alive, I have convinced them to keep them listed as only missing in action.

Command was very interested in the modifications to the sensor array, as well as the discovery of the transporter's adverse affect on the Quinnjila portal. They have dispatched the Galileo with Command's top scientists and Engineers to our location for further analysis, seeing if such modifications can be made safely, and as to the plausibility of full fleet implementation.

Several supply ships have also been dispatched, bringing replacements so that full repairs may be made to the Miranda. As of now, the temporary repairs are holding, and appear to be stable, though with the threat of possible further activity in the sector, it is uncertain if those repairs will remain so.

Several other additional battle ships have also been ordered to the area, as well as the surrounding systems, just in case this was a preliminary move for a Quinnjila invasion. The Miranda has been given command of the operation, at least until the few from Alliance Command that are coming to oversee the new research and develop the tactics for the Alliance's activities in the sector arrive. I have been informed that they will most likely be staying on board the Miranda, and that we are to host one of the Alliance's top Special Advisory Ambassadors. I am uncertain as to who this is, as no further details were given, and I was not aware that the Alliance still had any SAA still in service.

Moral remains high, though it is still early in the events that are forthcoming, and the crew also feels the absence of Damian and Erin. Such has been their impact during their two years aboard the Miranda; everyone can feel something is missing. Everyone remains hopeful that we will soon discover their whereabouts, and bring them back safely.

The two Talactian Shai'al, S'Thorlin and D'Khalin, are staying aboard the Miranda, offering their assistance as well. I believe that they will inform the Talactian government about the situation, and that other Shai'al will soon be dispatched to this location as well, if they haven't already done so.

Personal log
Kate Marsh, Captain
Supplemental

I find it strange how much our guests intrigue me. Very little is known about Talactians, despite the close relations Earth has had with them since our first encounter with them during the second Interstellar War.

I find myself comparing them to Damian, finding them so different from him, and yet so very similar. It is hard not to look upon them and feel a great sense of awe, wondering about their true beings, hidden by the shroud of mystery they perhaps inadvertently drape themselves in.

Even though I have known Damian for the past two years, and consider him to be a close personal friend, I still know nothing of his past or of his Talactian side. Seeing the two full Talactians has only helped to further acknowledge this fact. The same sense of being lost that fills his eyes can be seen in the full silver eyes of his Talactian kin. Even though the human part of him shows through most of his being, even his eyes are white with traces of blue in the silver irises, there is no doubt that his soul is Talactian. The eyes truly are the windows of the soul, as I see the same look in them all, even those that are composed entirely of varying shades of silver.

I personally hope that much can be gained from this encounter, and that we learn much from each other. I know that we have much to learn from them, and perhaps human kind has something to teach them as well.
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Kate sighed as she sat in her command chair. She usually wasn't even on the Bridge at this late of an hour, but given that these weren't normal circumstances, she felt that she should be here. Mark had stayed most of the day as well, but had finally relented to her telling him to go get some rest. She knew that she should also be in her quarters resting, but couldn't find a way to make herself leave, feeling restless and needing to occupy herself in some manner.

She turned as the doors opened, watching Dr. Kurtis as he stepped onto the Bridge. He had almost never ventured onto the Bridge, saying that he really had no business there, and Kate was a bit surprised when he had offered to take command during third watch.

"Evening, Dr. Kurtis."

"Evening, Kate." He slowly ambled over to her, sitting in the chair to her left. "I would have thought that you would be in your quarters by now, seeing as how you've been busy all day."

"I should be, but my place is here on the Bridge."

He chuckled lightly. "Yes, your place is on the Bridge, but you must be fully alert and rested when you are there." He paused, glancing around the room. "The crew has managed without you being here every minute of everyday, I think we can manage tonight. As long as someone makes certain that I don't try to do a medical scan when I should be firing missiles or something."

Kate smiled. "Actually, Tactical would fire the missiles; you just tell them when to fire."

"See? Already have that problem solved, so nothing to worry about."

Kate nodded. "Alright, I give. You don't have to make it doctor's orders."

"Kate, now why would I do that? Never order, when you can convince someone to order themselves. To do otherwise is like trying to justify yourself when you are right and the other party knows it." He removed his glasses, glancing at the lenses as if trying to find some non-existent piece of dirt on them. "You do the same thing yourself, if I recall correctly."

"Indeed." She told him of her report to Command, and their standing orders to maintain in the present area until the other ships arrived. She stood to leave, turning back to him and whispering. "It's generally customary for the second ranking officer on duty to sit in the chair to the right."

"Perhaps, but to me, that chair is Cmdr Dupree's, just as this one is yours, and I will not sit in either one, unless circumstances dictate, such as now." He moved over to the command chair, easing back into it. "Well, this is quite comfortable. I can see why you are reluctant to leave it."

Kate laughed as she headed to the door. "I'm leaving already."
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2300 hrs

Kate lay restless on her bed. Damian wasn't on the Bridge, and Erin wouldn't be taking over command. It was strange how that seemed to bother her so much. The two people she counted on more than anyone else were gone, and nothing seemed right.

She turned on her side, trying once again to find a comfortable position in the hopes of falling asleep. Doubt that I'll get much sleep tonight, she mused silently, shifting positions again.

A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Who could that be? she wondered. Why knock instead of using the chime? She sat up on the edge of the bed, wrapping a short robe around her. "Enter."

The door hissed open, and S'Thorlin entered slowly, almost cautiously. "Am I disturbing you, Captain?" she asked softly.

"Not at all. I was just trying to go to sleep, with no luck." She exhaled softly, wondering why she was relieved to have her visit at the moment. "I'm actually glad for the company. What can I do for you?"

"Actually, I was thinking more of what I could do for you. Perhaps you would like someone to talk to." She moved closer to the bed, hoping that she'd read the signs correctly earlier.

Kate smiled, patting the bed in an invitation for S'Thorlin to sit beside her. "Since when is the protector the counselor?"

"One must at times provide counsel to protect someone from themselves." S'Thorlin sat down beside Kate, her short nightgown shifting to reveal her bare legs, marked by the occasional scar from numerous battles. "Not all life is fighting. We must take time to enjoy the moments we can, lest they pass us by…"

"…'And we find ourselves longing for the past, seeking that which we gave up then and desperately need now'," Kate finished.

S'Thorlin glanced at Kate curiously. "I was not aware that you were familiar with Talactian philosophy."

"I'm not, actually. In fact, I don't really know much about your society at all. I just remembered that quote from the Academy. I think I've heard Damian say it a couple of times, perhaps." She sighed softly, her gaze dropping to the bed between them.

"I am certain that he is alright, Captain. He is quite capable of taking care of himself. He shall return, along with Cmdr Godwynn."

Kate smiled softly, a small glint in her eyes that S'Thorlin had noticed earlier. "I know. It's just hard, not knowing where they are or how to get them back."

"May I ask a personal question of you, Captain?"

"Yes, you may ask," Kate replied, looking into the eyes of her quest. She was rather surprised to see uncertainty masked in the Talactian's features. "Though I may decline to answer it."

"Fair enough." S'Thorlin stood, turning away. "I know that it is none of my concern, nor is it my business to intrude." She paused briefly, collecting her thoughts. Her voice was low, almost a whisper as she asked, "How long have you and Erin been lovers?"

Kate sat in silence, the question not one that she was expecting. While she had never denied her sexual preferences, she had never announced them either. Her relationship with her second officer was something that they had kept between themselves. She had given Erin no special treatment, expecting her to give everything as an officer and member of her crew, just as she expected of everyone else that served aboard the Miranda. "A little over a year," she replied. "How did you know?"

"I did not really know, not for certain. I just know Erin, and saw your reactions when her name was mentioned. It seemed a little more than the concern for a missing crew member." S'Thorlin turned and faced Kate again. "I did not mean to upset you, Captain. I sometimes forget that not every culture has the same open view as the Talactians."

"You didn't upset me, S'Thorlin, and please, call me Kate." If you know this much about me, might as well be on a first name basis. "I just wasn't ware that anyone else knew or suspected anything, except maybe for a couple of the crew." She smiled lightly. I never would have thought that Talactian's were open to females having relations with other females." Not so far off, I guess, considering their open relations with everyone, she thought, recalling Damian's escapades with nearly everyone else on board, save Erin and herself.

"Talactian's tend to hold different views on many things, sexual relations being no different. For instance, the human concept of monogamy we believe to be rather limiting, since we hold different beliefs as to what sex actually is. Of course, that's another subject altogether, and I will not bother you with it tonight.

"While full lesbian relationships are not common, they are not frowned upon. In fact, it is quite common practice for one wishing to conceive to have sex with another female, in reverence to the Goddess." S'Thorlin sat on the bed again. "It creates a special bond between the families, similar to human's 'godparents'."

"Tre Na Kal?" Kate asked, recalling Damian calling someone that before, showing her great reverence. Also, the conversation he was having with Erin shortly after the two of them reported to the Miranda for duty two years ago.

"Yes, the 'Second Mother', one of the few traditions dating back to before the Great War. Though now it is quite common for one family to return to the other, reinforcing the ties between them if the Goddess favored the first Union. Such was the case with me."

"So you're seeking another Tre Na Kal?" Kate asked, uncertainly.

"No, my child is but a little over three years. There is time yet before I bear again." S'Thorlin paused briefly. "I am somewhat like you, preferring the pleasure of another female."

"I already have a lover."

"You misunderstand my intentions, Kate. I am not seeking a lover, nor do I wish to take anyone's place." S'Thorlin looked directly at Kate, her silver eyes holding the captain's green eyes in their piercing stare. "I bring comfort and understanding. My family is hurting, and I wish to restore it."

Kate held the gaze, starting to comprehend a bit. She wasn't sure as to the how or why, but for some reason, the Talactian considered her family, and was feeling her loss as well. "I thought you said it wasn't your concern or business," she said softly. "If I understand you, it is."

"Only because I was correct in my assumptions. I was not completely certain, and had I been wrong, it would not have." She stood, glancing at the chronometer. "The hour grows late, and I am keeping you from your sleep. I shall adjourn to my quarters now."

Kate nodded silently, and as S'Thorlin turned to leave, she quickly reached out, holding the other's hand. "Wait. Stay with me, please. I don't know why, but I need you to stay. I love Erin, and want her to be here, yet something is compelling me to be with you."

S'Thorlin sat beside Kate, wrapping her arms around her in a gentle hug. She could feel the uncertainty in the taller woman, the unanswered questions building up inside her. "Soon, you shall have the answers to your questions, Kate. In time, as Lith deems fit to reveal. Our place is to do as told, not question why it is so."

"But Erin…"

"Erin will understand, and the two of you shall be the stronger."

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A/N: Third Chapter ending still is being worked on. Once again, just the ending. But give enough, you can figure some things out. Use your imagination till it's posted, that's what you have it for. ;)

ANd, sorry that this update was a bit slow in coming. But work has been really hectic, consuming all my time. And it appears that the same is in store for some time. Guess that happens when you work as a slaving webmaster for someone that is totally computer illiterate.

One final note; a couple notes to the fans:

JadedScorpian - You may call back the minions of Pips, wookies, and hyper yodas. I'll try not to upset them again.

Selketh Deleon - Pardonnez s'il vous plaît mon français, comme je ne le sais pas vraiment, bien que supposez que je peux le feindre un peu. Content vous l'appréciez tellement. Avec optimisme le recevra complet un jour bientôt.

Butterz - Thankies for the cookies.

KhansWrath - Kahn! Khan! (Sowwies, couldn't resist.)

Starfyre - Thanks for being so understanding with your beta for being so far behind.

To the Nobel Accademy - Many thanks on finally recognizing my achievments... What's that? That's not me? Oh. Um, we now return you to your regularlly scheduled reading.